ARU valley

ARU VALLEY

Jammu and Kashmir

Aru is a tourist spot in the Anantnag District of Jammu & Kashmir, India. It is located 12 km from Pahalgam, 11 km upstream from the Lidder River. Noted for its scenic meadows, lakes and mountains, it is a base camp for trekking to the Kolhoi Glacier and Tarsar Lake. The village lies on the left bank of the Aru river, which is a tributary of the Lidder river.

Aru Valley is a small yet self-sufficient scenic village located 12 km from Pahalgam. The drive up to the village is alluring too. The location of the village among the grasslands, make this place a tourist delight. It is reachable by walking along a mountain path. The village also serves as the start point for trekking to Kolahoi glacier. Another long trek for the serious trekker is to Sonmarg, which can be covered in 3 days! Besides, the valley is also known to be a good site for camping.

Here, you can have a glimpse of Kolohoi Peak, 5370 meters. Another trek from Lidderwat leads to the most desired twin Lakes, Tarsar 3794mtrs & Marsar 3788 meters (2-3 days trek).

Overlooking the majestic snow-capped peaks of Himalayan Range, Aru Valley is a pristine scenic village situated in the region of Trans-Himalaya. Clear blue canopy over the head, misty surroundings, whispers of the native pines and conifer forests and beautiful meadows create a captivating diorama for travelers thronging the place. Though the village is the smallest hill station in the state, but still its breathtaking beauty and interesting activities like trekking, hiking, and horse riding make it one of the most popular tourist places to visit in Pahalgam.

An excellent choice for both leisure seekers and adventure lovers, Aru Valley enriches the glory of Jammu and Kashmir tourism by being the starting point for trekking expeditions to Kolahoi Glacier and Sonmarg. Apart from the trekkers, the village also caters to the skiing desires of tourists who love to visit the place during winters. Aru Valley is located at a distance of about 12 km from Pahalgam.

Tourism

The Aru valley is noted for its scenic meadows.It is popular among the tourists for its peaceful environment and scenic beauty.The village is a base camp for trekkers to the Kolahoi Glacier, the Tarsar-Marsar lakes, and the Katrina valley. It is also a base for the treks to Lidderwat, the Vishansar-Kishansar lakes, and Kangan.The Kolahoi is the largest glacier in the Kashmir Valley, and is located near Mt. Kolahoi (5425m), the highest peak in the Valley. A number of hotels, restaurants and huts are available for boarding and lodging.

There are about 20 alpine lakes, peaks, and meadows around the Aru Valley. In the winters, when Aru receives heavy snowfall, skiing and heliskiing are practiced. Other popular tourist activities include fishing of trout in the Lidder river, trekking, hiking, horse riding, sightseeing, and photography.

The Overa-Aru Biosphere Reserve is located 76 km from the state capital Srinagar. It has the status of a Wildlife sanctuary and is spread over an area of 511 km2. The altitude ranges from 3000–5425 m above the sea level. It is famous for several rare and endangered species.

Gulmarg Gondola

GULMARG GONDOLA

Gulmarg boasts Asia's highest and longest cable car project, the Gulmarg Gondola. The two-stage ropeway ferries about 600 people per hour to and from Kongdoori Mountain, a shoulder of nearby Afarwat Peak (4,200 m (13,780 ft)). The ropeway project is a joint venture of the Jammu and Kashmir government and French firm Pomagalski. 

The first stage transfers from the Gulmarg resort at 2,600 m (8,530 ft) to Kongdoori Station in the bowl-shaped Kongdori valley. The second stage of the ropeway, which has 36 cabins and 18 towers, takes skiers to a height of 3,747 m (12,293 ft) on Kongdoori Mountain, a shoulder of nearby Afarwat Peak (4,200 m (13,780 ft)). The second stage was completed in a record time of about two years at a cost of 180,000,000 Indian Rupees (i.e. some US$4.5 million) and opened on May 28, 2005. The French company had also built the first phase of the gondola project, connecting Gulmarg to Kongdoori, in 1998.

Gulmarg a prime location in the state of Jammu & Kashmir is about 55 Kms. from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu & Kashmir. At an altitude of 2,653 m., Gulmarg has exquisitely situated in a pine surrounded basin of the Pir Panjal range. Gulmarg or the `Meadow of Flowers' is a lovely blooming sight where an opulence of flora displays various colours with the changing seasons.Gulmarg's astounding beauty, prime location and closeness to Srinagar naturally make it one of the prime hill stations in the country. Originally called 'Gaurimarg' by shepherds, its present name was given in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah, who was impressed by the sight of its green slopes embellished with wildflowers. Today, Gulmarg is not only a mountain resort of exemplary beauty - it also has the highest green golf course in the world, at an altitude of 2,650 m, and is the country's major ski resort in the winter.

Gulmarg is situated at 2650metres on a flat plateau at the base of Mt. Apharwat. The best and longest ski run of 3 kilometres in Gulmarg is accessed by the Gondola Cable Car Lift, which allows a ski run of 2,213 metres descent. The gondola ascends extends almost to the peak of Apharwat, at an elevation of 3980 metres above sea level. It provides lift served access to 1330 vertical metres of vast snow slopes. With the setting-up of Gondola Cable Car Lift from Gulmarg to Apharwat top, Gulmarg has become one of the highest lift-served ski resorts in the world. The total aerial distance covered by Gulmarg Gondola is 5 kilometres.

The Phase 2 of the Gondola Ride is a prime attraction as it gives panoramic views of the Himalayas as it keeps ascending higher and closer to the Apharwat Mountain. The cable car ascends 1,330 vertical metres to a height of nearly 4,000m.The Gondola Lift operates in 2 phases – Gulmarg > Kongdoor and Kongdoor > Apharwat. Phase 1 of the Gulmarg Gondola Project starts in Gulmarg at 2’990 m has a vertical rise of 400 metres travelling at 5 metres per second, ferries 1500 people per hour from Gulmarg to a height of 3100 metres above sea level to middle station Kongdoor Mountain, from which skiers have access to numerous easy runs through the trees and to the groomed but narrow slopes.

Phase 2 of the Gulmarg Gondola Project starts at Kongdoor and ascends a slope of 2688 metres at a vertical rise of 880 metres from Kongdoor travelling at 5 metres per second, ferries 600 people per hour to a height of 3980 metres onto Apharwat Mount. From this point, skiers can either return to the middle station by staying on the controlled and patrolled gondola bowl or traverse further up. Nearly every route links up with powder runs with up to 1’000 vertical metres.

The tariff of the ticket in the first phase, from Gulmarg to the Kongdoori mid-station, 300 metres above costs Rs.100 one way or Rs.500 for the day. The tariff of Phase 2, ascending to nearly 4,000 metres at the height of Mt Apharwat, costs Rs.250 one way. A day pass is Rs1, 000.

Gulmarg offers many opportunities for runs over open snow fields, along numerous ridges with over 20 access points to runs. These runs have more than 1’000 vertical metres and a terrain steepness of 32° to more than 40°.

The gondola terrain is divided into two sections -the upper and the lower section. The first section is 2,350 m long and rises 450m vertically from Gulmarg ski resort to slopes at 3300m up the side of Apharwat Mountain.

The second section runs to over 4,000 m, just below the peak of Apharwat. From the top most station, a 30-minute trek up would land on the peak. Any direction from this peak is ok for skiing for a couple of kilometres. Also, from this peak, the Line of Control (LOC) and Pakistan-administered Kashmir are both visible.

 

One can enjoy the Fantastic views of the Pir Panjal range, and on clear days, can see Nanda Devi and the LOC. Romp around in the snow, forget your age and don't stand upon your dignity. Discover the child in you and then join the queues for getting back again! Just good woollens or a windcheater and sensible sports shoes are sufficient. Obviously, try to avoid wearing sandals, slippers or leather shoes.

The easiest way to enjoy these wonderful rides, make pre-booking by visiting www.gulmarggondola.com and for any assistance ask on Helpline number 1800-102-1060. Remember, a photo ID of at least one member will have to be produced for e-ticketing at the ticket counter to get the Boarding Passes.

How to reach

Closest Railhead from Gulmarg is Jammu. Jammu is connected by rail to many cities in India especially direct trains are available from northern cities. Tourists can take trains from Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and even from the southern most Trivandrum Railway station.

Nearest airport to Gulmarg is Srinagar which is 56 km away from Gulmarg. Jeeps and Taxi cabs are available from the airport to Gulmarg, which will cost around Rs 1,000 – 1,200. Srinagar is well connected to Delhi with daily regular flights. Many other Indian cities are also connected to Srinagar by air.

Gulmarg is well linked by bus services from most of the cities in Jammu and Kashmir. State-owned buses and Private tourist deluxe luxury buses are also available to reach Gulmarg from various parts of J&K like Srinagar (Rs 150), Sonmarg (Rs 300) and many other parts of the state. For those travelling from Srinagar, shared taxis (Sumos) are available from Buttman to Tanmarg. From there, you can catch an onward shared sumo to Gulmarg. The whole journey takes 2 to 3 hrs.

Korzok Ladakh

  KORZOK LADAKH

   HEAVEN ON EARTH

Korzok is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery belonging to the Drukpa Lineage. It is located in the Korzok village, on the northwestern bank of Tso Moriri (lake) in Leh District, Ladakh, India. The gompa (monastery), at 4,560 meters (14,960 ft), houses a Shakyamuni Buddha and other statues. It is home to about 70 monks.

In the past, the monastery was the headquarters of the Rupshu Valley. It is an independent monastery under Korzok Rinpoche, widely known as Laguna Rinpoche. The 3rd Korzok Rinpoche, Kunga Lodro Ningpo was the founder of Korzok Monastery.

This revered monastery is 300 years old. The Tso Moriri Lake below it is also held in reverence and considered equally sacred by the local people. With the efforts of the WWF-India, the Tsomoriri has been pledged as a 'Sacred Gift for a Living Planet' by the local community (mostly Chang-pa herdsmen). As a result, the area has been opened up for tourists.

Korzok is a small village 444 situated 3 km from the northwest end of the Tso Moriri Lake. Most of the inhabitants of the Korzok are changpa nomads. At an altitude of 4572 m, Korzok is one of the India’s highest permanent villages. During the summers Changpas camp at various places in their robos (small tents) and look after their flock. Their sheep produce the famous pashmina, one of the costliest varieties of wool. Traditional weavers from Kashmir and Himachal buy this wool. The recent boom in its value has led to their prosperity though that is not evident in their lifestyle. Korzok meaning is “Middle of the mountain” and it’s an excellent location to enjoy the lakeside. There is a monastery at korzok which is believed to be about 500 years old. Korzok monastery lies on the traditional trading route between Spiti and Ladakh, it was visited by many of early explorers.

In older days Korzok was headquartered of Rupshu. Earlier there was no Government facility for change as in Korzok but now this valley has a school, PWD guest house, and nearby ITBP camp. Korzok Village cuts off the civilization for about 8 months in a year due to snow. The only way of getting around in winter is on foot or horseback. The climate at Korzok is cold arid, snow falls in winter, rainfall is very less, there is a wide variation in temperature, during summer it rises as high as up to 36 degree Celsius but same falls to 5 degree Celsius at night; the sky is usually clear and cloudless. Thunder and lightning are hardly seen.

 Korzok Village: Agriculture on the top of the world

The fields of Korzok village are among the highest agricultural lands in the world. During the summers, the Changpas who live in Korzok grow barley, oat, and vegetables. A Major portion of agricultural land at Korzok belongs to gompa or monastery in the village. This land is divided into plots and given to the lamas (monks) for cultivation for the period of 6 to 7 years. Recently tractors are introduced for plowing these lands and are hired at the rate of Rs 600 per hour for plowing.

The change as uses horses for plowing. The fields are prepared for cultivation by application of fertilizer followed by water. People generally use natural fertilizer here. The first crop consists of barley, oats and vegetables are harvested in August-September, after which fodder grass is grown and harvested in December. The water of irrigation comes from chasma or glacier. A stream from the glacier flows into Tso Moriri Lake and agricultural fields are located along and around the stream, near the banks of the lake.

Korzok Gustor: Korzok is also the hosting of Korzok Gustor, a festival that takes places every year in the month of July or august. It attracts a large number of change as of change thang valley. The Festival continues for two days and ends with the dismemberment and dispersal of the 'Storm' (sacrificial cake) by the leader of the Black Hat dancers. This ceremony is known as 'Argham' (Killing).The ceremony symbolizes the victory of good overall kind of evils.

Leh - Shey - Thiksey - Hemis - Leh - Lamayuru - Leh

LEH-SHEY-THIKSEY-HEMIS
LEH-LAMAYURU-LEH

A journey through rich cultural heritage, which is reflected in the costumes, architecture, food, fairs, festivals and age-old traditions of Leh-Ladakh - a land like no other. Bounded by two of the world's mightiest mountain ranges, the Great Himalayas, and the Karakoram, it lies diagonal to each other, the Ladakh range and the Zanskar range.

At an awesome attitude, this highland is the bridge between the earth and the sky - part fantasy, part reality. Ladakh is where the forces of nature conspired to render a magical and realistic landscape. A landscape of extremes. Desert and blue waters. burning the sun and freezing winds, glaciers and sand dunes. A primeval battleground of the titanic forces which gave birth to the Himalayas. An authentic land, which is faithful to ancestral customs, where life is characterized by intense spirituality.

Himalayan Rendezvous specially came up with monastery tour of Leh - Ladakh where age-old spiritual customs are not only preserved but also practiced with intense faith and belief.

Day 1

Fly to Leh (3505m) from Delhi

Fly to Leh and check into a hotel for rest.

Day 2

In Leh (3505m) and tour to Local Monastery

Acclimatization is the key factor for completion of any journey. So we designed tours specifically keeping in mind. After lunch visit Leh Palace, Leh gompa, Shanti Stupa and the local bazaar. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Leh to Stok Place to Shey to Thiksey to Hemish to Leh.

After breakfast, we will we take you to sightseeing of Stock Palace, Shey Palace, Thiksey, Hemish monasteries. After today’s exploration, we head back to Leh for dinner and overnight stay.

• Stock Palace (14kms – Southeast of Leh): Where the present day royal family resides. Stok Palace and museum was built in the year 1825, by King Tepal Tondup Namgyal. At present, the place has a collection of royal dresses and crown etc. which is open for travelers.

• Shey Palace (15kms south of Leh): Was built by Deldan Namgyal in the beginning of 17th century AD. The main image in the monastery is the three-story statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, made of copper gilt which was made by Deldan Namgyal in the memory of his father Singay Namgyal. The statue is only of its kind in the region.

• Thiksey Gompa (17kms south of Leh): The most beautifully in all the monasteries in Ladakh belongs to the Gelukspa order.

• Hemish Gompa (45kms south of Leh) is one of the most famous and largest monasteries of Ladakh. It belongs to the Dupka order of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery was founded by the first incarnation of Satsang Raspa Nawang of Stagsang Raspa Nawang Gyatso in 1630, who was invited by King Singay Namgyal and offered a religious estate throughout the region.